BP Hanna

Lines 2631~2674



Translation



Sad at heart, addressing his companions,
Feeling sadness arousing within him, with his comrades,

Wiglaf spoke wise and fluent words:
Wiglaf shared his words of wisdom:

"I remember that time when mead was flowing,
"I remember the old days when we used to live happily,

how we pledged loyalty to our lord in the hall,
when we promised to be loyal to our king,

promised our ring-giver we would be worth our price,
promised that we would do everything we can for him,

make good the gift of the war-gear,
and promised that we would fight for him with the weapons he gave us,

those swords and helmets, as and when
the swords and helmets, when

his need required it. He picked us out
he needs us. He chose us

from the army deliberately, honoured us and judged us
from the army to follow him, and rewarded us and determined that we would

fit for this action, made me these lavish gifts -
do well in this battle. He also gave us these luxurious gifts

and all because he considered us the best
all because he thought that we were the best

of his arms-bearing thanes. And now, although
soldiers in his kingdom. Although

he wanted this challenge to be one he'd face
he wanted this fight to be only between the enemy

by himself alone - the shepherd of our land,
and himself - our guide,

a man unequalled in the quest for glory
a man superior to his enemies,

and a name for daring - now the day has come
and a man with a fearful name - now, as we have promised

when this lord we serve needs sound men
we have to fight for him

to give him their support. Let us go to him,
and give him support. We should

help our leader through the hot flame
help him fight the hot flame

and dread of fire. As God is my witness,
and fear of fire. I swear to God,

I would rather my body were robed in the same
I would rather die here in the fire

burning blaze as my gold-giver's body
with our king

than go back home bearing arms.
than go back home without getting hurt.

That is unthinkable, unless we have first
We should not go back home before we first

slain the foe and defended the life
kill the enemy and protect

of the prince of the Weather-Geats. I well know
the prince of the Weather-Geats. I know that

the things he has done for us deserve better.
he deserves better, looking at the things that he has done for us.

Should he alone be left exposed
He shouldn't be left alone

to fall in battle? We must bond together,
to lose the fight. We must work together,

shield and helmet, mail-shirt and sword."
with our shields, armors, and swords."

Then he waded the dangerous reek and went
Then he walked towards the dangerous battlefield and went

under arms to his lord, saying only:
to his lord, only to say:

"Go on, dear Beowulf, do everything
Beowulf, do what you did

you said you would when you were still young
when you were young.

and vowed you would never let your name and fame
You promised never to be ashamed of your name and

be dimmed while you lived. Your deed are famous,
lose your fame before you die. You made great contributions,

so stay resolute, my lord, defend your life now
so keep on making more, my lord, defend yourself

with the whole of your strength. I shall stand by you."
as well as you can. I will help you."


After those words, a wildness rose
Right after Wiglaf finished talking, the

in the dragon again and drove it to attack,
dragon began to attack again,

heaving up fire, hunting for enemies,
It belched out flames to hurt its enemies,

the humans it loathed. Flames lapped the shield,
the humans it hated. The flame hit the shield,

charred it to the boss, and the body armour
and burned its master. The armor of

on the young warrior was useless to him.
the young soldier was now useless.